GABR Fellows 2022

American Gabr Fellows

Alen Amini
Management Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH Age: 35
Alen Amini is a Management Consultant at Boston Consulting Group. Born in Ohio, Amini was a math teacher and Vice Principal in Arkansas and has experience running a rug business and a food truck. Alen has a passion for geopolitics and is a Council on Foreign Relations term member and was a Fulbright scholar. Amini is an alumnus of Harvard University (where he was a Center for Public Leadership Fellow), earned his MBA at Dartmouth College, and earned a Computer Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

7th October 2022

Crawford Horan
Director of Operations, Ervin Graves Strategy Group
Hometown: Alexandria, VA Age: 27
Crawford Horan is currently Director of Operations at Ervin Graves Strategy Group, a government relations firm in Washington, DC that serves clients from all business sectors. Prior to this role, she taught English at a multilingual primary school in Galicia, Spain working to improve student communication skills through cultural learning. Horan graduated cum laude from Sewanee: The University of the South where she focused in International Relations and Southern Appalachian Studies. Growing up outside of Washington allowed her early and constant exposure to politics, fostering an interest for global affairs from a young age.

7th October 2022

David Guhl
Recent Graduate, Oxford University
Hometown: Germantown, MD Age: 30
David Guhl recently served as a diplomat at the American Embassy in Beijing, where he was assistant to Ambassador Terry Branstad. The State Department recognized Guhl’s contributions to public service with a Superior Honor Award for heroism in repatriating over 800 U.S. citizens and their families during the coronavirus pandemic. Before moving to China, Guhl helped launch the world’s largest ride-sharing company DiDi Global in Latin America and was also a Fulbright Scholar in Mexico City. In 2016 he went to Nepal to volunteer with earthquake relief efforts and lived in Cuba organizing UNESCO International Jazz Day with thousands of students and renowned jazz musicians. Guhl is a graduate of Cornell University where he received a B.S. in Applied Economics. He also holds a Master of Public Policy from Oxford University and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

7th October 2022

Harley Adsit
Communications Director, Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Hometown: Norfolk, VA Age: 25
Harley Adsit is a Communications Director in the office of Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01). In this role, she is responsible for writing press releases, prepping the Congressman for interviews, running social media, and coordinating the office’s franked mail operations. After graduating from the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture with a BA in Urban Planning and Media Studies, she spent time working at the Department of Housing and Urban Development as Press Assistant to then-Secretary Dr. Ben Carson. She then moved to Capitol Hill, working for the House Education and Labor Committee as a Press Secretary. Adsit has also has a certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Education and experience in local radio.

7th October 2022

Jack Lincoln
Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff, Congresswoman Connie Conway (CA-22)
Hometown: Chico, CA Age: 31

Jack Lincoln is Legislative Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Connie Conway (CA-22). In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the development of the Member’s legislative objectives as well as managing all activities and staff in the Washington, DC office. He serves as the chief policy and political advisor to the Congresswoman. Prior to this position, Lincoln worked as the Federal Government Affairs and Member Programs Manager for the Northern California Power Agency where he lobbied Congress and the Executive Branch on a broad array of energy-related issues such as permitting reform, tax incentives, and infrastructure investments. Lincoln holds a Master's degree in Global Communications from the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from California State University, Chico.

7th October 2022

Jeremy Pesner
Senior Technology Analyst, Bipartisan Policy Center
Hometown: Montclair, NJ Age: 35
Jeremy Pesner is the Senior Technology Policy Analyst for the Bipartisan Policy Center, where he conducts research and writes informational reports on topics ranging from broadband, artificial intelligence, data privacy and more. He is an active member of several communities and professional organizations, including the Internet Law and Policy Foundry, the New Leaders Council, TheBridge and the Royal Society of Arts. Pesner was fortunate to spend a year in Israel working as a technology analyst for Start-Up Nation Central, while learning about the religious, cultural, and political issues facing the country and the larger region. Pesner recently placed in the Journal of Science Policy and Governance's competition on the future of science policy with his work on the impact of science research. Pesner earned his BS in Computer Science from Dickinson College, his MA in Communication, Culture & Technology from Georgetown University, and completed graduate work at Carnegie Mellon University.

7th October 2022

Kathleen Hagan
Chief Operating Officer, FGH Marine Engineering, Inc.
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ Age: 32
Katie Hagan is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of FHG Marine Engineering Inc., a yacht and ship maintenance company in South Florida. She co-founded FHG at age 28 in 2018. Hagan is on the Board of Directors for the Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF) and is on the Board of Young Professionals in Yachting (YPY) USA as the Volunteer Chair. She also serves as an Ambassador for She of the Sea advocating for diversity and inclusion in the yachting industry and is a member of Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA). Hagan graduated from the University of San Diego summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelors in International Relations and Minor in Asian Studies. While studying at USD, she sailed around the world at age 19 with Semester at Sea aboard the M/V Explorer. She later lived and worked abroad in Chongqing, China. Before joining the maritime industry, Hagan was involved in humanitarian diplomacy working for several years with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as Head of Chancellery at the ICRC Delegation to the United Nations and as Chancellery Assistant at the ICRC Regional Delegation in Washington, D.C. She is from Scottdale, Arizona.

7th October 2022

Lukas Wenz
Deputy National Outreach Director, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ Age: 28
Luke Wenz serves as Deputy National Outreach Director, Western Region for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), a broad-based bipartisan coalition of over 500 businesses and NGOs that advocates for strong U.S. global leadership through development and diplomacy, alongside defense. In addition to his work with USGLC, Wenz serves as the President of Big Stick Consulting, LLC, an Arizona-based strategic consulting firm, focusing on public relations, strategic communications, and government affairs consulting. Earlier in his career, Wenz served as Deputy District Director and Campaign Manager for U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska, with stints both in Nebraska and on Capitol Hill. He also spent time living and working in Amman, Jordan and the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon, where he primarily focused on the radicalization process of religious extremism and worked in refugee camps. His areas of expertise are American political philosophy and the geopolitics of the Levant.
Wenz serves as the Vice President of the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. In addition, Wenz serves on numerous local boards and commissions and was a Fellow at the African Middle Eastern Leadership Project. A native Phoenician, Wenz attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, studying Political Science and Religious Philosophy.

7th October 2022

Kellie Quinn
Director & Small Business Program Supervisor, International Rescue Committee Small Business Development Center
Hometown: San Diego, CA Age: 32

Kellie Quinn is the Director of the International Rescue Committee Small Business Development Center (IRC SBDC) in San Diego, CA, where she oversees a diverse portfolio of federal, state, local, and private programs. In her position, Quinn aids residents of San Diego in establishing or expanding their businesses through advising, training programs, and access to capital. In addition to her role at the IRC SBDC, Quinn lectures at San Diego State University in the School of Public Affairs. Her courses are focused on nonprofits and government, research methods, and introduction to public administration.

Quinn previously worked in various coordinator and research positions at San Diego State University.  As a coordinator, she worked in the Office of International Programs (OIP) to promote international education through short-term study abroad programs and grant opportunities such as Fulbright. Following OIP, she worked as a financial coordinator for the School of Communication.  As a researcher, Quinn worked on projects ranging from diaspora philanthropy, homelessness, and racial equity policy implementation across the United States.

Quinn was a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Casablanca, Morocco. She taught in the Université Hassan II in the Faculty of Law, Economics and Social Sciences.  Quinn obtained her B.A. in Religious Studies with a double minor in International Studies and Italian and her Master of Public Administration from San Diego State University. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution at the University for Peace in Costa Rica.

7th October 2022

Marielle Becker
Communications Assistant, National Gallery of Art
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA Age: 24
Marielle Becker currently serves as the Communications Assistant at the National Gallery of Art. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and a minor in Art. Her honors work focused on the role of social media and its impact on American art museums during social unrest. She put forth best practices for crisis communication that museums can utilize. She now implements these strategies daily, addressing real-time concerns in the National Gallery’s Communications Office. Becker works with media outlets, documentary film crews, curators, and fellow staff to make the museum's collection widely accessible, allowing the public to create deeper connections with art. She is passionate about elevating art as a tool for social change and a catalyst for conversation. Becker spent her early years in California and South Africa.

7th October 2022

Pascal Rathle
Associate, Council for Inclusive Capitalism
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Age: 27
Pascal is an Associate at the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, an international movement dedicated to mobilizing private and public sector leaders to create a more trusted and sustainable economic system. Prior to joining the Council, he worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Pennsylvania, served as a City Year AmeriCorps Member and Policy Assistant to a Mayor’s administration and is the Founder of a local nonprofit, Global Shapers Jacksonville Hub. Rathle has been selected as a CSPC Presidential Fellow, European Forum Alpbach Scholarship Holder, AEI Leadership Network Millennial, Caravan For Democracy Fellow, Salzburg Global Fellow, and presented to former UNSG, Ban Ki-Moon on two occasions. He holds a Master in Law from Penn Carey Law, an MS in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Executive Certificate from Harvard Kennedy School. Fun Facts: He had a trial in the Bundesliga, played NCAA Division I soccer (futbol), and writes poetry.

7th October 2022

Egyptian Gabr Fellows

Aya Aly
Sustainable Finance Specialist, The Financial Regulatory Authority FRA

Aya works in the Financial Regulatory Authority as a Sustainable Finance specialist, where she proposes and handles regulation drafts in areas, including sustainable finance agenda and supporting the green economy transition in Egypt.

Additionally, Aya is a fellow of the Yousef Jameel fellowship and completing her Master's degree at the American University in Cairo (AUC) in Public Policy. Aya had an outstanding sports career as a former professional athlete as a member of the Egyptian National Karate Team for several years as well as being a state-level athletics medalist.

11th October 2022

Amr Hesham
Site Service Engineer, Central Bank of Egypt

Amr Hesham is a Mechanical Engineer. He works as a Site Service Engineer on a major project at the Central bank of Egypt and he is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in business administration with a specialization in strategic planning at Heriot Watt University in Scotland. Amr got his first international work experience when he worked as a high school teacher in India. Then, he got an opportunity to deliver his first workshop abroad in Europe in collaboration with a business school.

He successfully delivered over 240 hours of workshops in 6 universities in Egypt. Amr is also a food tour guide, organizing food tours in the downtown area for tourists with Bellies En-Route (The first specialized food tour business in Egypt). Amr is passionate about the gaming industry, where he is pursuing a career as a trainer with a game design studio.

11th October 2022

Assem Bolbol
Special Assistant to Chairman and Managing Director, ARTOC Group for Investment and Development
Assem Bolbol is a Special Assistant to Chairman and Managing Director at ARTOC Group for Investment and Development. In this role, he is responsible for directing and coordinating projects for the effectiveness of all operations, implementation of Company policy and providing direction to develop and evaluate alternative solutions and recommendations.

After graduating from Glasgow, Scotland with a Visual Communication degree, Assem spent time working in marketing, sales and public relations as well as in the financial sector. Assem perused his interest in management and finance, where he founded a small trading company prior to working with ARTOC Group’s Chairman and Managing Director.

11th October 2022

Esraa El Zokem
Operations Manager, Crimson Solutions (Business Consultancy)

Esraa El Zokem is the Manager of Operations at Crismon Consultancy and a parttime instructor. She has experience as a project coordinator for NCW, as she worked on initiatives funded by the UNPFA, the UNODC, and the EU. Esraa is an advocate for women's rights and the rule of law.

She holds an LLB from Law School of Alexandria. As a legal researcher, Esraa is well-versed in many areas of the law, and specializes in criminal and international along with a background in commercial transactions and international arbitration.

Esraa received the Youth Active Role award from India 2016 for her active role in sustainable development which lead to her being chosen to serve as Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals by the Ministry of Planning.

11th October 2022

Layla Galal
PR and Strategic Communications Manager, Moharram & Partners for Public and Strategic Communications

Layla is a PR and Strategic Communications Manager at Moharram & Partners, a pioneering public policy and strategic communications firm operating across MEA. Her role involves advising global brands, startups, and various organizations on their public relations, media, and strategic communications engagement. She has more than four years of experience in government and political communications, and she is passionate about applying her creativity to every aspect of her work.

Layla has also worked as a Political Communication Officer at the Support Egypt Coalition in the Egyptian Parliament, where she handled legal research and highlevel communications. Prior to that, Layla worked as a Crisis Management Specialist at the Egyptian Ministry of State for Information, where she crafted and developed national branding campaigns. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University, with a specialization in Political Science and a minor in Economics.

11th October 2022

Menna El Touny
Business & Events Coordinator, Nielsen IQ; Actress
Menna El Touny is an Egyptian actress and model. Her acting career took off when she joined Temple Theatre troupe in 2017, touring France for almost two years to perform the play 'Mama' in various festivals - from Festival d’Avignon to Le Liberte, scene nationale de Toulon in 2019. She was also an active member of an improvisation group Irtigalia for almost four years, performing live performances in theaters across Cairo. On screen, Menna was the supporting actress in The Heir short movie, and a leading acting role in Mirah short movie which shed light on racism in the workplace.

Moreover, she leant her voice for Jasadi, a project focused on empowering women. Between roles, Menna continuously immerses herself in a variety of acting workshops, soaking in knowledge and expertise of key figures in the business.

Menna also works in Nielsen IQ, a global market research corporation, as a business and events coordinator.

11th October 2022

Mohamed Hassan
Senior Graphic Designer, Rabbit Experience; Actor
Mohamed Hassan is a digital marketer. He founded Elkhan Studio for digital solutions, which offers one-stop solutions for any startup requiring photography, branding, or packaging. He works on projects for brands like Pepsi, Kitkat, Americana, McDonald's, Redbull, Pril, Orascom, Palmhills, and several others.

Mohamed is also a talented performing artist - he sings, acts, and does voiceovers. He is currently an active member of the Cairo Celebration Choir (CCC), which offers a variety of performances all over the world. In addition, he is a former member of Ayamna Elhelwa, a choir that specialized in Egyptian folklore. Due to his diverse background and residence in Cairo, Riyadh, and Alexandria in addition to his Nubian origin, Mohamed is able to effortlessly interact and maintain a profound grasp of other cultures.

11th October 2022

Omar Raafat
Researcher, Arwqah, Riyadh - Saudi Arabia
Omar Raafat is a peace and development researcher specializing in European region studies. He received the “Left off” Prize for Creative Thinking from the Andover International Organization and currently serving as the General Secretary of Mediterranean Youth Foundation in Egypt. Omar was awarded the International Security Scholarship of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, then completed the European Solidarity Corps Program in 2022, and the Israeli Affairs Program.

Omar is also a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, Statistics and Legislation. Beside his academic career, he is a blogger interested in creative writing and biographies.

11th October 2022

Samer Kirolos
HR Head, Areeba Egypt

Samer graduated from the Faculty of Law at Helwan University. He is currently working as a human resource head at Areeba Egypt. Prior to that, Samer worked as a human resources senior specialist at Eva Cosmetics and Tepco-Group, and during his professional career, Samer had an advanced HR study. Currently, Samer is pursuing his SHRM-SCP certificate from the American SHRM society.

Samer volunteered at the annual CSR program with Cairo Runners at Maq’ad Al Sultan Qaitbey and previously served as a counselor at Kids Games camps provided for Egyptian children and teenagers by Kasr El Dobara Church.

11th October 2022

Wessam Baher
HR Business Partner Manager, QNB Alahli Bank - Egypt

Wessam is an experienced Human Resources Business Partner Manager with a demonstrated history in the banking industry. His experience has developed through working across different fields starting with retail banking, product development, marketing research and coaching, until he had the opportunity to begin his current position in human resources which helped him to focus on human behaviours, organizational effectiveness and work force performance.

Wessam holds a Bachelor degree in Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University and a professional Diploma degree in Marketing from School of Business at the American University in Cairo. Wessam is passionate about discovering new cultures, arts and music, and he is an amateur guitarist.

11th October 2022

Yomna El-Awamri
Community Projects Manager, Applied Research on Environment Sustainability, Teaching at the AUC

Yomna is an expert in education policy and sustainable development and has more than ten years of experience managing international and local projects in sustainable development and education. She received her Bachelor's degree in Economics in 2012 from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University, and went on to work in the development sector in different organizations such as the Misr Elkheir Foundation and the American University in Cairo, working with various partners and organizations and engaging with many target groups in different sectors to advance the sustainable development agenda.

Yomna is also one of the very first graduates of the American University in Cairo’s Master's Program in Sustainable Development. She returned back to the University in 2019 to teach new batches and future leaders of the Graduate Program for Sustainable Development and other students in the Water-Energy-Food Technologies Diploma.

11th October 2022